Method and system for concurrent error identification in resource scheduling

A system for providing real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts in a resource scheduling process, the system comprising:

• a user interface receiving data from a user;
• a processor coupled to the user interface, wherein the processor is capable of executing instructions;
• a display device coupled to the processor;
• and
• a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device storing instructions comprising a resource scheduling software application for performing complex scheduling of many resources, the application comprising,
• a resource scheduling process, wherein the resource scheduling process includes, analyzing agent data, analyzing scheduling criteria, and detecting resource conflicts;
• and
• an error identification process, wherein the error identification process is concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein descriptions of identified resource conflicts and potential resolutions of the identified resource conflicts are conveyed to the user concurrent with the resource scheduling process, and wherein the resource scheduling process is configured such that normal operation of the scheduling process is independent of resolution of any conflicts.

A computer-readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to:

• analyze resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process and detect a resource conflict;
• convey unobtrusively to a user an indication that the resource conflict exists concurrently with the resource scheduling process;
• and
• present to the user, upon selecting the indication, a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the conflict, wherein the user may elect to continue normal operation of the resource scheduling process without resolving any conflicts, including conveying to the user indications that at least one further conflict exists.

A system for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts, the system comprising:

• at least one server comprising at least one storage device storing executable instructions;
• at least one client processor coupled to the server through a network, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one client processor to,
• analyze agent data and scheduling criteria to detect a resource conflict;
• concurrently convey an identification of the resource conflict;
• present, upon selection, a description of the resource conflict;
• present a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict;
• and
• generate a resource schedule in the presence of unresolved conflicts, including detecting further conflicts.

A method for providing real-time identification of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for performing complex scheduling of a plurality of resources, the method:

• analyzing resource scheduling data via a resource scheduling process including real-time detection of resource conflicts;
• providing a real-time indication of resource scheduling conflicts during execution of the computer program, including a visual indication;
• receiving a user input to suppress the resource conflict, wherein the visual indication of the resource conflict uses a first color for unsuppressed resource conflicts and a second color for suppressed resource conflicts, and wherein suppression of the resource conflict allows the computer program to continue executing to generate a complex schedule with at least one unresolved conflict;
• presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential solution to resolve the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved.

A method for providing real-time identifications of resource scheduling conflicts in a computer program for automatically generating complex resource schedules, the method comprising:

• analyzing resource scheduling data including real-time detection of resource conflicts;
• conveying unobtrusively to a user an indication that a resource conflict exists, wherein the conveying of the indication of the resource conflict occurs concurrently with the resource scheduling process and wherein the indication of a resource conflict includes identifying at least one resource associated with the resource conflict;
• and
• presenting to the user a description of the resource conflict and a potential resolution of the resource conflict, wherein the potential solution includes a hyperlink to a relevant portion of the resource scheduling process allowing the resource scheduling conflict to be resolved;
• if no input is received in response to the indication, continuing with generating the complex schedule, wherein the complex schedule includes the conflict.

A method for generating a resource schedule including concurrent error identification, the method comprising:

• receiving scheduling data in a resource scheduling process, including receiving data input by a user;
• determining whether a conflict exists on the basis of the received data, including determining whether a conflict is a resource specific conflict;
• determining whether a resource specific conflict is rule based or calendar based;
• presenting the user with the option to view additional information about a conflict;
• and
• presenting the user with the option to suppress a conflict, wherein suppressing a conflict comprises saving information related to the conflict and generating the resource schedule including the unresolved conflict.